Selection (page 12) from "Tragedy of the Wahk-Shum: prelude to the Yakima Indian War, 1855-56," by Lucullus Virgil McWhorter, describing the killing of Major Andrew J. Bolon.
Tragedy of the Wahk-Shum : prelude to the Yakima Indian War, 1855-56 : the killing of Major Andrew J. Bolon : eyewitness account by Su-el-lil locating the place of Bolon's death : and, Indian legends : addendum : definition of "Yakima" ; illustrations and map ; introduction by H. D. Guie: Bolon was detailed as agent on the Yakama Reservation (the Cascade Mountains) and lands east towards Nez Perce country (the Bitteroot Mountains). The "tragedy" happened just months after the June, 1855 Treaty gathering in Walla Walla where the Yakamas, Umatillas, Nez Perces, Cayuses, Klickitats, Palooses, Walla Wallas and other small tribes met with Washington Territory Governor Isaac Stevens. The treaties had not yet been legally ratified but notices for opening of the ceded lands for public purchase were advertised. The overwhelming flood of settlers and gold miners brought shocking reality and deep resentment to the Plateau people for having been forced to cede away lands no man had ever "owned." Bolon accidently met up with a few of the angry men while on his path to escape confrontation to The Dalles, Oregon, when he was attacked and killed. Vivian Adams, Yakama